Oxford United return to league action with the visit of Bristol City in what is Matt Bloomfield’s first game in charge.
The former Wycombe and Luton head coach was appointed as Gary Rowett’s replacement last week and watched from the stands as the U’s won on penalties against MK Dons in the FA Cup.
Read More: Latest Oxford United Team and Injury News for Matt Bloomfield’s First Game Against Bristol City
Oxford United Welcome Bristol City
Team News, Form and Predicted Line-Up
Prior to that FA Cup victory, the U’s had lost their previous two games under caretaker boss, Craig Short, but did win in his first game in charge against Southampton.
As for Bristol City, they eased past Watford in the FA Cup but had lost at home against Preston in their previous fixture. Since a 2-2 draw against Leicester in December, the Robins have three wins and three defeats in the league. However, they have a good away record with five wins and three draws from 12 league games.
Oxford are without defender Ciaron Brown who joins Nik Prelec, Tyler Goodrham, Hidde ter Avest, Przemyslaw Placheta and new signing Jamie Donley out with injury. However, the U’s have welcomed back Ben Davies, Matt Phillips and skipper, Cameron Brannagan.
Bristol City are without Fally Mayulu, Joe Williams and Max Bird while former Oxford players Luke McNally and Mark Sykes are also absent. The Robins can welcome back goalkeeper Radek Vitek from injury.
Will Lankshear took his goal tally to seven for the season in the FA Cup but the Robins have three players ahead of him in Emil Riis, Scott Twine and Anis Mehmeti.
Oxford won the reverse fixture at Ashton Gate in what was their first win of the campaign. However, Sykes netted an equaliser in this fixture last season and the Robins had won the previous two.
Matt Bloomfield takes charge of Oxford for the first time. He has only faced off against the Robins once before but his Luton side won 3-1 at home against Liam Manning’s Robins.
Oxford United Predicted Line-Up
Jamie Cumming
Brodie Spencer
Michal Helik
Ben Davies
Jack Currie
Brian De Keersmaecker
Cameron Brannagan
Stan Mills
Myles Peart-Harris
Filip Krastev
Will Lankshear
Prediction: Oxford United 2-0 Bristol City
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
